Prepare for a whole weekend of fun and entertainment as Chesterfield kickstarts the festive season in style, with thousands expected to visit the town centre and soak up the Christmas spirit.
The weekend will start with a new Christmas Market, launching on Friday 20 November and running until Sunday 22 November.
Organised in partnership with Dowse Events, the three-day Chesterfield Christmas Market will give visitors the chance to enjoy a variety of food and drink stalls offering festive treats and refreshments, as well as unique artisan goods and thoughtful Christmas gifts.
The Christmas Market will be open from 10am to 6pm on Friday and Saturday with live music and entertainment on both days.
It will also be open from 11am to 7pm on Sunday 22 November, and run alongside the beloved Christmas Lights Switch On.
On the day of the lights switch on, families can enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment from 12pm, with many activities free of charge.
The Grinch will also be travelling from Who-ville to join the celebrations. He will meet fans at intervals in New Square from 1pm before helping to switch on the lights.
Fairground rides, street entertainment and brass band performances will keep the whole family entertained across the market and town centre. The celebrations will then move to outside the Town Hall, where following the success of last year, an exciting stage show will begin at 4.30pm, before the lights are switched on at 5.30pm.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Christmas is such a special time for people to get together, and our Christmas Market and Lights Switch on are the perfect chance to get into the festive spirit.
“The whole weekend will be packed with festive fun and entertainment for everyone, regardless of your age, so we’re looking forward to seeing thousands of people head into town centre and enjoy a fantastic weekend.
“The works we’ve been doing across the town centre have helped to create the perfect spaces to host a fantastic Christmas celebration for everyone to enjoy, with more space for rides, entertainment and experiences for visitors. “
Full details on town centre performances and entertainment planned for Sunday 22 November.
After the switch on, visitors are encouraged to head back down to the town centre where walkabout entertainment will continue until 6.15pm, and the Christmas Market will remain open until 7pm.
Tipi Christmas will be serving festive drinks and treats until 9pm and visitors are also encouraged to stay in town and support local bars, restaurants and cafés.
The Christmas Lights Switch on will be delivered by Chesterfield Borough Council thanks to support from by the Chesterfield Town Board Pride in Place programme, which is funded by the UK Government.
Dominic Staniforth, local business leader and Chair of Chesterfield Town Board, said: “Through our engagement with residents, it was highlighted that hosting more events in the town centre was something that local people really wanted to see. The Christmas Lights Switch on is always a highlight of the year for many local families, so we are pleased that we are able to support this event, and many others that have taken place this year, by investing Pride in Place funding to help deliver the town’s programme of entertainment and provide opportunities that bring the community together.
“We hope to see many people coming along to join in the fun and soak up the festive atmosphere.”
More information on Christmas in Chesterfield.
